Slide and Glide Slides Slide &
Glide
Mastering the Cha Cha Slide
Today's Mission
Flex It
Increase your range of motion and flexibility through dynamic movement.
Strike a Pose
Learn and hold two signature dance poses: The Flamingo and The Star Power.
Feel the Beat
Master the difference between rhythm and tempo while dancing.
The Science of Sound
Rhythm
The pattern of long and short sounds. It's the "heartbeat" of the music.
Tempo
The speed of the beat. Measured in Beats Per Minute (BPM).
TAP ALONG TO THE BEAT!
Range of Motion
What is it?
The full distance you can move a joint or muscle.
Improving this makes you a LITHE and POWERFUL dancer!
Today we focus on shoulders, hips, and ankles.
Pose #1
The Flamingo
1 Stand tall on your right leg.
2 Lift left knee to hip height.
3 Place left foot against right inner thigh.
4 Arms out like wings for balance!
Pose #2
Star Power
1 Jump feet out wider than shoulders.
2 Extend arms high in a "V" shape.
3 Lift chest and chin up.
4 Engage your core and SHINE!
The Main Event
Cha Cha Slide
The Moves
- Slide Left/Right
- Reverse
- One Hop
- Right Foot Stomp
- Left Foot Stomp
- Cha Cha Real Smooth
Listen for the Cue
The song tells you what to do! Stay on the beat (Tempo) and follow the pattern (Rhythm).
Turn it up!
Cool Down
Deep Breaths
In for 4, Out for 4.
Long Reach
Stretch your range of motion.
Respect
Bow to your dance partners.
Slide and Glide Teacher Guide Choreographer's
Facilitation Guide
Lesson: Slide and Glide (Cha Cha Slide)
Duration 45 Min
Learning Objectives
Increase range of motion through rhythmic full-body movement.
Identify and perform "The Flamingo" and "Star Power" poses.
Distinguish between rhythm (patterns) and tempo (speed).
Gear List
"Slide and Glide" Presentation Slides
Audio System & "Cha Cha Slide" (DJ Casper)
Open floor space (gym or cleared classroom)
"Rhythm Radar" Student Worksheets
Lesson Timeline
0-8 min
Warm-Up & Science
Introduce Range of Motion . Lead students through dynamic stretches: shoulder rolls, hip circles, and ankle rotations. Explain that "warming up" literal muscles allows for greater flexibility during the dance.
8-15 min
The Beat Lab
Discuss Rhythm vs. Tempo using the slides. Play the song at 50% speed first to practice counting beats (1, 2, 3, 4). Then increase to full tempo.
15-25 min
Pose Breakdown
Model The Flamingo (balance, core engagement) and Star Power (extension, expansion). Students must hold each pose for 10 seconds. Check for proper alignment and extension.
25-40 min
The Performance
Run the "Cha Cha Slide". Challenge students to insert their learned poses during the "free" sections or as modifiers for the "Freeze" moments.
Teaching Nuance
Coaching the Poses
The Flamingo
"Think of a string pulling the top of your head to the ceiling. If you wobble, focus your eyes on one spot (a drishti) on the floor 5 feet in front of you."
Star Power
"Don't just stand there—REACH! Imagine you are trying to touch all four corners of the room at once. Feel the stretch in your fingertips and toes."
Common Pitfalls
Tempo Drift: Students rushing the slides. Remind them to wait for the vocal cue.Limited ROM: Small, shy movements. Encourage "taking up space."Rhythm Confusion: Mixing up the count. Use hand-claps to reset the beat.
Differentiation
Support: Allow students to hold a chair or wall for The Flamingo balance.Challenge: Add a "spin" to the slides or a double hop for advanced rhythm.Sensory: Use a drum or heavy stomp to emphasize the beat for hearing-impaired students.
Post-Dance Debrief
"When the music sped up (higher tempo), how did that change your range of motion? Did your moves get bigger or smaller?"
"In the Flamingo pose, which muscles felt like they were working the hardest to keep you flexible and balanced?"
"How does rhythm help a group of people stay 'real smooth' and synchronized during the Cha Cha Slide?"
Rhythm Radar Worksheet Rhythm Radar
Mission Recap: Cha Cha Slide
Name
Date
Part 1: The Beat Breakdown
What is Tempo?
Think about the speed of the "Cha Cha Slide".
What is Rhythm?
Think about the pattern of the claps and steps.
Part 2: Strike a Pose
Pose #1
The Flamingo
Describe or draw one key "secret" to balancing in this pose.
Pose #2
Star Power
How many "points" of the star can you reach for? How do you feel in this pose?
Part 3: The Flex Zone
Which joints used the MOST "Range of Motion" during the Cha Cha Slide? Circle your top 3!
SHOULDERS
KNEES
HIPS
ANKLES
ELBOWS
WRISTS
NECK
SPINE
Final Thought:
Why is flexibility important for a dancer who wants to master complex rhythms?
Rhythm Radar Answer Key Answer Key
Rhythm Radar Worksheet • Slide and Glide
Part 1: The Beat Breakdown
Tempo Definition
Ideal Student Response:
"Tempo is the speed of the beat. In the Cha Cha Slide, it's how fast the song is going and how quickly we have to move to stay with the caller."
Rhythm Definition
Ideal Student Response:
"Rhythm is the pattern of the sounds. It's the 'clap-clap-clap' or the pattern of the steps (left, right, slide) that repeats throughout the song."
Part 2: Strike a Pose
The Flamingo (Balancing Secrets)
Engaging the core/stomach muscles.
Focusing the eyes on a steady point (Drishti).
Keeping the standing leg slightly "soft" (not locked).
Spreading the arms for balance.
Star Power (Feeling/Execution)
Feeling "big", "powerful", or "energized".
Reaching with five points (head, 2 hands, 2 feet).
Full extension of limbs.
Part 3: The Flex Zone
Correct Joint Identification
SHOULDERS
KNEES
HIPS
ANKLES
Note: While all joints are used, these four are the primary movers for the Cha Cha Slide's slides, hops, and stomps.
Final Thought Guide:
"Flexibility allows a dancer to make their movements bigger and more expressive. When you have a high range of motion, you can hit the poses more clearly and keep up with fast tempos without getting tight or stuck."
